Narok, Kenya – The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) is advocating for changes to the current law governing income tax exemptions for people with disabilities. This call was made during a press briefing held by KUSNET’s Secretary General, James Torome, at his office in Narok.
According to Kenya News Agency, the existing legal notice mandates that individuals living with disabilities must renew their income tax exemption certificates every three years. This process, he argues, is cumbersome and unfair, especially considering that many forms of disability are permanent. Torome highlighted the unjust nature of this requirement, pointing out that it fails to acknowledge the irrevocable nature of certain disabilities.
Failure to renew these certificates results in a significant financial burden, with affected individuals losing about 16% of their basic salary. The current procedure necessitates that individuals first obtain a recommendation letter from a hospital, then await an invitation to the National Council of Persons Living with Disabilities to receive their certificate.
Torome is calling on Members of Parliament to take up this issue in the legislature and push for a revision of the bill. He emphasized that this problem affects not just teachers but all employees living with disabilities who are subjected to the triennial renewal requirement.
The process for registering for an income tax exemption for people with disabilities involves several steps, including obtaining a medical report, a letter from the employer, a disability membership card, and a tax compliance certificate. Once the council receives the application, a vetting committee assesses the applicant and makes a recommendation to the commissioner regarding eligibility for the tax exemption. If the application is successful, a tax exemption certificate is issued; if not, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury.